When choosing between the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and the Dell Latitude 5430, consider performance and budget. The MacBook Pro with its M1 Pro chip excels in general, 3D/machine learning, and engineering tasks, offering superior performance and battery life suitable for demanding applications; however, it comes at a higher price. On the other hand, the Latitude 5430 is less expensive and runs Windows 11, which may be preferable for those requiring Windows-specific software or who are on a tighter budget. It is also lighter, enhancing portability, but it won't match the MacBook's performance or display quality, which is superior for creative work. The decision ultimately depends on whether the higher cost is justified by the need for more power and a better screen or if budget constraints and software compatibility are priority considerations. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5430
The Dell Latitude 5430 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.2/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.4/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in general use largely due to its superior CPU and GPU performance, more RAM, higher battery capacity, and exceptional screen quality with high resolution and brightness levels; these factors contribute to a smooth and visually stunning experience. On the other hand, the Dell Latitude 5430, while still providing adequate performance for general use, has less RAM, a less powerful CPU and GPU, shorter battery life, and a lower-resolution screen, which means it may handle everyday tasks well but does not offer the same level of capability for more intensive applications and multitasking.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.0/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Dell Latitude 5430 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
6.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is preferred for engineering and design owing to its superior CPU and GPU, the Apple M1 Pro, which offers robust performance, and its high-quality Mini LED screen which provides excellent resolution and color accuracy. On the other hand, the Dell Latitude 5430, while more lightweight and thus more portable, has a lower-performing Intel i5 CPU with integrated graphics, and an IPS screen with lower resolution and color coverage, making it less ideal for demanding engineering tasks and professional design work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.2/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
9.2/10
6.1/10
14.2in
SIZE
14.0in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
248.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5430 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a high-resolution display known for vivid colors and high brightness levels, which makes it excellent for everyday tasks and professional design work that requires accurate color representation. The Dell Latitude 5430 offers a decent screen for day-to-day activities and some engineering tasks, but its display may not be as sharp or color-accurate as the MacBook's. For 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion, neither laptop's display is ideal, as they are not designed with high refresh rates that are typically prioritized by gaming or 3D modeling laptops.
Battery
13.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5430 has 9 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.4/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Dell Latitude 5430 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$790
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Dell Latitude 5430 costs $790.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Dell Latitude 5430
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.